FAQs

At BCIE we understand that investing in your education is perhaps one of the biggest decisions you will be making. As such our staff have put together a list of Frequently Asked Questions that can help guide you along your path.

If you require any further detail on any of these important topics please get in touch with us. In addition, contact our offices to register with us for FREE!

Latest FAQs

We will guide you through the entire visa application process, and should you follow our advice to the letter, you will have a more than 98% chance of securing the visa. Our members of staff are not only well trained, but have vast experience in advising students on visa applications.

If you were applying to Canada, it could take 4 to 5 months to get a response, and if your application is to Australia, it could take between 4 to 6 weeks, Dubai takes only about one month, the UK 3 weeks and USA is based on appointments. The time frame differs among countries, but what is important to you as a student is to ensure that you give yourself enough time, by applying early. Avoid the risk of last minute applications by applying for the course and paying the fee deposit as early as possible. This will also ensure that you give yourself enough time to prepare the documents and meet other requirements for the visa application.

BCIE offers you a comprehensive package of services that will take you from deciding what and where to study, to finally arriving at your carefully selected university. We will assist you with deciding on what and where to study, help with putting in the application, provide you with information on tuition fees and living expenses as well as on financial aid available, on accommodation and importantly provide visa counseling. We will also provide you with a pre-departure briefing. We will ensure that the process is as seamless as possible for you, as we do all the worrying and chasing up for you. Remember – we have direct links with all of our network universities. Here are some main advantages of using BCIE:

Do the Universities accept any other type of English test other than the IELTS, TOEFL, PEARSONS and TOEIC?

Yes, some of the universities do organise internal English exams for their students who do not meet the UKBA English requirements. These tests are also accepted by the UKBA. Kindly contact the BCIE offices to get more detail on these Universities.

What is the minimum IELTS or TOEFL score required to get into a UK institution?

Different Universities have different requirements on this. Some for that matter do not require any IELTS or SELT. Contact our offices for the most up to date information on the University you are interested in.

Why write an English test when I come from an English speaking country?

This is a little tricky because in most cases it could be a course requirement or the High Commission’s requirement. This is not applicable in all cases so our counsellors will advise you if you need it in your case.

Yes you can, but you usually would have to do a pre master’s programme or equivalent first before you can progress to do the master’s course. However, there are exceptional cases where students with rich work experience for a considerable number of years have done the masters without the premasters. Contact our offices so they can discuss your individual cases with you and ensure that you are getting onto the best course option available.

Rankings are based on subjectively perceived "quality", or on some combination of empirical statistics, or on surveys of educators, scholars, students, prospective students or others. There are several types of rankings so be careful that you are looking at the correct one for your needs. The BCIE offices can guide you on this.

What are the student accommodation options for international students?

There are two main choices - Halls of residence or private flats and houses. Halls of residence are University/College owned international student accommodation (full board or self catering). Or a student can stay in a rented flat or house. Private accommodation - is typically a room in a house or a flat shared with other students.

Yes, you are free to study whatever subjects are on offer in your University. All Universities offer a wide range of subjects to study. But some programmes require a prerequisite knowledge so you must meet the basic entry requirements

No. You do not have to pay all before travelling to the school. Most Universities have installment plans, but it goes with deadlines so we will have to ensure you pay within the dates given. Most Universities will, however, give a discount for early payment, if full fees are paid before the beginning of the first semester or a given date. Contact our offices so they can discuss your individual cases with you. Note also that each University will have its own ‘Deposit’ policy and you will usually have to pay the required deposit before you can apply for a visa.

If you comply with BCIE on the visa application, it will be out of the ordinary for you to get a visa refusal. In the rare event where the application is unduly rejected, BCIE will assist you through the administrative review. We have a professional section in charge of Visa counselling, BCIE also organise Visa counselling seminars in order to assist the students, guide them and keep them informed with the latest news.

My University has refused to give me a copy of my transcript. Do I give them the address of the University in the UK where I am applying to study so that they courier the transcript there?

You can give them the office address of the BCIE branch where you application is being handled for them to scan a copy of the transcript to the University you are applying to. We work closely with our universities such that we can certify copies of your transcripts once we have sighted the originals. This helps to speed up the whole process for you.

There are many benefits of studying in the UK. The UK has a long tradition of quality and internationally recognized education. As a student, you also get to experience a multi-cultural and diverse study atmosphere as the UK is a study destination for students from around the world. The biggest benefit is the time. Qualifications in UK are finished earlier than in other countries. It takes just 1 year to complete your Postgraduate studies and 3 years for Undergraduate qualifications.

Making the decision to study is an investment with life-long consequences, and in so far as the returns on the initial investment will be much higher, with much better job prospects and a worldwide network of contracts, then we cannot say that it is expensive! Given the changes in exchanges rates and the very competitive nature of British Universities, it is no longer expensive to study in the UK.

Yes some universities do provide work placement, especially in fields related to IT and technology. However, you have to apply for it to be considered for this option. The placements are usually paid work periods with companies. Some universities also charge a placement fee if you are interested in this option.

A typical undergraduate degree in the UK is 3 years, while a postgraduate degree is 1 year. However, we have universities that offer 2 – year fast track undergraduate degree programmes. There are also top-up undergraduate programmes lasting one year for students who may have previous professional qualifications, ordinary and national diplomas, or extensive relevant work experience.

Australia is becoming a popular destination for international students. Students can get an internationally recognised degree from Australia and there are many other study options available such as diplomas, and degrees. The foremost benefit now is that upon completing your qualification in Australia, you can apply for PSW.

What are my chances of getting a good job and settling down in Australia after studying?

There are many Job opportunities in Australia and you are virtually guaranteed to get a good job after studying. The current laws in Australia allow you to apply for the Post Study Work visa which allows you to stay on after the completion of your degree to work. Contact your local BCIE offices for more detail on the Post Study Work Visa.

PSW or Post Study Work is a new initiative by the Australian government which allows an International student to work after completing their studies in Australia. There are requirements that a student needs to fulfill before getting a PSW. A student needs to study a minimum of 2 years in Australia in order to be eligible for PSW. For more detailed advice on this important initiative, please visit your local BCIE office.

When you study in Canada, you will earn qualifications that are recognised and respected the world over. You will become part of a diverse, welcoming and vibrant society that offers you a unique cultural experience in a safe and beautiful environment. In addition, there are many Post Study work opportunities.

What are my chances of getting a good job and settling down in Canada after studying?

There are many Job opportunities in Canada and you are virtually guaranteed to get a job after studying. The current laws in Canada allow you to apply for the permanent residency after working in Canada for a certain number of years. Contact your local BCIE offices for more detail on this.

You will be given three (3) months after your course completion date after which, you will be expected to return to your home country. However, should you be interested in staying back, given genuine reasons like an employer willing to support you, then it is a possibility, most of our Universities and Colleges will help you to find a job on graduating.

Coming from a tropical climate, you will certainly feel the difference in terms of weather. However, the infrastructure is built for cold such as having underground facilities and heated rooms so you will be ok!

Statistics show that there are over 700,000 international students currently studying the in the USA, and some of the reasons that attracted these students there are diverse – for example, the USA offers some of the world’s finest higher education facilities especially in the fields of technology, opportunities for research, flexible course curriculum as well as a wider range of financial assistance. The US is also renowned for its research opportunities, flexible curriculum and financial assistance.

Hello, I am 34yrs old and would like to go for an undergraduate program in the USA. How do I proceed with getting an admission?

Unfortunately your age will not permit you to be granted a student visa to study in the USA. Every case is different so do contact your local BCIE offices for more advice. It is advisable that once you are above 17yrs for foundation or 21yrs for undergraduate or 25yrs for Masters that you try out other places like the UK, Australia, Canada or Dubai where there's no age restriction.

The USA is a vast country, with huge varieties in each state including in climate and even time zones. With over 7,000 higher education institutions offering hundreds of different courses, you will not be short of choice on where and what to study!

Most countries will allow students to work while they study, but with certain provisions in the hours the students can work, or where they can work. It is important to know the rules and regulations as regards working as a student so that you are not in breach of your student visa. The provisions made are normally set so as to ensure the student has enough to time to study which is the purpose of their student visa in the first place.

Will I be able to work and earn enough to pay for my tuition while studying in the UK?

That will be impossible as you won’t be working long hours or where you will be paid enough to cover tuition fees. However you might be able to cover your basic needs such as food, transport and clothing. The UKBA and other High Commission rules however will not allow you to apply for your visas unless you can show that you have the full tuition fees and living expenses for the first year in your bank accounts.

This is possible at some Universities for international students eg if you have a first class degree. Such places are very competitive. However, there are other types of scholarships which you can also apply for such as half tuition scholarship and other scholarships offering £2,000- £4000 pounds off your tuition also depending on the University. Contact your local BCIE offices for more detail on this.

Can I go onto the undergraduate course without writing this English language test, I have a HND and I also have 5 credits in WAEC including English Language?

This depends on the Course you are applying for and also the University you are applying to. In some schools Media/journalism courses, law and some other Art courses require that you write an English language test due to the nature and sensitivity of the course and the requirement that a student must be well spoken and good in writing too. Contact your local BCIE offices for more detail on this.

Yes, we have a BCIE mini fair that is usually held in November and our Main fair usually comes up in June. The fairs and seminars are organised and sponsored by BCIE as a way of assisting students in bringing them all under one umbrella to speak one on one with the schools/delegates, get instant admission offers and also on the spot scholarships into any universities of their choice. BCIE organizes many events with the aim of providing students with the opportunity to gather as much information as possible that will aid them in making the very important decision on where and what to study. We will thus organise events such as education fairs, seminars, presentations and interview sessions with representatives from different higher education bodies and institutions.

On average more than 25 Universities will be coming. We shall have Universities from the UK, and Australia plus our offices will take in applications to Canada, Dubai and the US – It’s the only fair in Ghana and Nigeria where you can get information about all Study Destinations.

Our fairs are widely publicized and advertised compared to any other fairs running in your countries. Mainly through various means like Newspaper, Radio, Road shows etc you are bound to hear about the event. In any case you can go onto the fair details of this website and register for our upcoming events for FREE.

Can I use my brother, parents or uncle’s bank statement of account to apply for my visa or better still a company account?

Each Visa application case is different. Each country we work in turn has different visa application rules. Contact one of our local offices and they will take you through your application process for FREE as long as you have an offer from one of our universities. Do not apply for your visa by speaking to other friends and families and going by their experience. A lot of students that come to us would have done so and ended up with a refusal or worse still a 10 year ban on their passports. Our advice is FREE so why not take it before application, especially is the visa regulations are constantly changing.

Most masters programme in Australia can take up to two years. However because of the Post Study Work visa a lot of students now prefer to study in Australia and have the opportunity to be able to work and stay on after their degree.

Yes, it might seem far, but there is a benefit of staying back to work after study in Australia. In addition the country has weather that is more akin to your country. An increasing number of students are now opting for Australia as a suitable study option.

BCIE provide a full day's training on the PTE Academic course. This training is conducted in some of our offices. IN addition our Abuja centre is the approved PTE academic test centre for Northern Nigeria. Go to the PTE Academic page on this website to register for the test or training programme through us.

The standard time is fifteen working days, after the application has been submitted, but we usually encourage our students to apply very early, if possible 2-3months before the start date of their schools. If this is done, a VISA can be ready in 8 working days. If Visa applications are submitted very close to the start date, there is a strong possibility that the visa will be refused because it was submitted too late.

That would depend on the area of UK in which you intend to Study. As defined by the UKBA, living expenses for students located in the heart of London is 1000 pounds per month while students living outside London are estimated to spend about 800 pounds per month.

Depending on the level (Foundation, Undergraduate, Postgraduate) for Masters Level as an example, you will be required to provide academic credentials (WAEC certificate, Degree Certificate/ Statement of result, Academic transcripts), valid passport and referees.

Do I physically need to come to your office before the application can proceed?

NO, you can scan your documents and send to any of our offices (contact details are on the home page). Processing can then start. Also, you can deal with any of our offices that is most convenient for you. All our staff are well trained and understand that not all our clients can come to the office all the time.

If you were applying to Canada, it could take 4 to 5 months to get a response, and if your application is to Australia, it could take between 4 to 6 weeks, Dubai takes only about one month, the UK 3 weeks and USA is based on appointments. The time frame differs among countries, but what is important to you as a student is to ensure that you give yourself enough time, by applying early. Avoid the risk of last minute applications by applying for the course and paying the fee deposit as early as possible. This will also ensure that you give yourself enough time to prepare the documents and meet other requirements for the visa application.

This is a very important factor because, without the right amount a visa would re refused. However, the amount required depends on the fees and living costs of the country you are going to. Contact your local BCIE Ltd branch office to get more details on your individual case.

A good honest education consultant will never guarantee a visa. However, BCIE has a 98% success rate and this success depends on your visa application being thoroughly prepared with the help of our specialist visa counselors. BCIE does not guarantee visas but we provide visa counseling services and ensure that you get the best of our services in order to prepare your visa application/file. This includes providing you with a check list of documents required, filling out the forms, making a visa appointment, and organizing your visa file. We also help you prepare for the visa interview, if you are called for it.

We will guide you through the entire visa application process, and should you follow our advice to the letter, you will have a more than 98% chance of securing the visa. Our members of staff are not only well trained, but have vast experience in advising students on visa applications.

BCIE does not charge anything for its services i.e. Counselling, admissions and Visa file preparation. Our trained and expert staff make sure that all our services are provided to the highest standard. All visa files are prepared and checked multiple times to ensure everything is in order and all requirements are met according to the rules and regulations set by the country.

Yes the certificate is recognised in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Pakistan and internationally. The certificate given is issued by the parent university in the UK because the quality of education is the same and the awarding body is the same.

Yes the courses are taught in English by an international faculty so you can be rest assured that it’s the same quality that you get in the UK/Australia depending on the University you are going to. The Universities BCIE works with are in effect campuses of the UK or Australian Universities in Dubai – therefore you get the same qualification you would get as if studying in those countries.

Dubai is close to home for many Pakistanis. Being an Islamic state is the biggest benefit for students from Pakistan. Dubai is also an economic hub of the Middle East and provides ample opportunities for students in regards to employment after studies. Another benefit is the cost efficiency. Courses and qualifications in Dubai are cheaper than the ones in the home university and at the end of the course, you still are a recipient of a world class degree.

Dubai offers you the opportunity to earn a UK, Canadian or Australian degree at a cheaper cost in a beautiful, modern environment with a climate friendlier to those coming from tropical climates. Many of the best universities now have campuses in Dubai.

You can work during your course in Dubai if allowed by your institution. It is easy for postgraduate students to work full time while studying part time as most of the classes for PG courses are held in the evening, so you often have the option of working full time during the day.

Yes and No. There are different policies maintained by universities on how payments can be made. This varies with countries and universities. Some universities allow payments to be made in instalments while some require full payment at enrolment. Visit the BCIE office closer to you for more information on this.

How does BCIE surpass other education consultants while helping one in preparing for overseas education?

British Canadian International Education is one of the most reputable organisations in the field of education consultancy. We surpass any other consultant in the market by our practices, our culture, our dedicated and devoted staff and above all we do not charge anything for our services. The BCIE team possesses the most up to date information on all aspects of studying abroad – including admission procedures, visa requirements, tuition fees and scholarships. Finally, we will advise you, impartially for you all round development and your employment opportunities on graduating. Your career prospects are really important to us.

What are the varied tests one needs to clear for gaining admission in foreign universities?

In order to be considered eligible for entry into most foreign universities, students from Pakistan have to undergo certain tests such as GMAT, GRE, SAT, TOEFL & IELTS. These actually judge a student's basic level for the varied courses he is applying for. While GMAT is essential for getting through a management course, GRE is meant for all other miscellaneous courses apart from management. Both are vital when applying for graduate courses. SAT is meant for undergraduate courses. IELTS & TOEFL are two of the most required English proficiency tests that one has to appear for along with the standardized tests. These ease the task of the application procedure, since they are recognized by almost all overseas universities.

What basis qualifications do I need to gain admission into an overseas university?

Students can apply for both undergraduate & postgraduate degree courses. You have to figure out the suitable course you would like to go in for. The basic eligibility criteria for University Foundation programmes is a minimum O-Levels or Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC), A-Levels for a first year Bachelor’s entry and for postgraduate programmes a minimum 16 years of education including either a 4 year Bachelors degree or 2 year Bachelors and 2 years Masters Degree.

BCIE Ltd. runs a number of bi-annual Edufairs (Ghana and Nigeria), Minifairs and Roadshows in Nigeria, Ghana and Pakistan each year. Our fairs are the most well known, branded and advertised events in these markets. Our aim is to bring together students and universities from several Study Abroad destinations making it easier for our students to decide which country, course and university is right for them. Contact your local BCIE ltd. office to get more details about the latest events in your area.